What are targeted attacks?

Targeted Attacks

A targeted attack refers to a type of threat where malicious actors actively pursue and penetrate the infrastructure of a specific entity while maintaining their identity concealed. These attackers possess a certain level of experience and have sufficient resources to execute their plans over the long term. They can adapt, modify, or enhance their attacks to counter the defenses of their target.

Targeted attacks often employ similar methods found in traditional online threats, such as malicious emails, compromised or harmful websites, exploitation operations, and malware. However, targeted attacks differ from traditional online threats in several ways:

• Campaign-based Execution: Targeted attacks are typically executed in the form of campaigns, involving a series of attempts, both unsuccessful and successful over time, to deepen their penetration into the target network. They are not isolated incidents but rather part of a strategic, ongoing effort.

• Industry-specific Targeting: These attacks usually target specific industries, such as companies, government agencies, or political groups. Attackers often consider long-term goals, including political gains, financial profits, or business data theft, among other motivations.

• Customization and Adaptation: Attackers often customize, modify, and enhance their methods based on the nature of their target sector, bypassing any implemented security measures.

What are the targeted attack stages?

Threat actors follow specific stages in executing targeted attacks:

• Entry Point: Threat actors may use various methods to penetrate the target's infrastructure, including common techniques such as zero-day exploits. Attackers may also utilize instant messaging and social networking platforms to lure targets into clicking malicious links or downloading malware, ultimately establishing a connection with the target.

• Command and Control Communications: After breaching security, threat actors constantly communicate with malware to execute malicious actions or gather information within the corporate network. Threat actors use techniques to conceal this communication and keep their movements under the radar.

• Lateral Movement: Once inside the network, threat actors move later across the network to search for critical information or compromise other valuable systems.

• Asset/Data Discovery: Prominent assets or data are identified and isolated for future extraction. Threat actors gain access to “zones” containing valuable information and noteworthy assets, transferring this data through tools like Remote Access Trojans, dedicated tools, and legitimate means.
  One of the potential techniques used at this stage may involve sending file lists in various            directories, allowing attackers to identify valuable information.

• Data Extraction: This is the primary goal of targeted attacks. The objective is to gather essential information and transfer it to a location controlled by the attackers. The transfer of this data can occur rapidly or gradually. Targeted attacks aim to go undetected within the network to access the company's assets or valuable data. This valuable data includes intellectual property, trade secrets, and customer information.

Additionally, threat actors may seek to obtain other sensitive data, such as highly classified documents from government or military institutions.

Once a targeted attack successfully reaches the data extraction stage, extracting the data is not challenging for the attackers. While targeted attacks are not aimed at consumers, their data is also at risk once business sectors are compromised. As a result, such attacks, if successful, can damage the company's reputation.

When is an Attack Considered Targeted?

An attack is considered targeted when three main criteria are met:

1. Attackers have a specific target in mind and have demonstrated spending significant time, resources, and effort in preparing or executing the targeted attack.
2. The primary goal of the targeted attack is to infiltrate the target's network and steal information from their servers.
3. The attack is persistent, with attackers putting significant effort into ensuring the attack continues after the initial network breach and data infiltration.